Tarrytown Takes Step To Appeal General Motors Lawsuit Decision

Tarrytown officials say they will appeal a state judge's recent decision in the General Motors lawsuit with Sleepy Hollow unless the developer is required to lessen traffic congestion.Photo Credit: Meredith Shamburger

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – Tarrytown officials say traffic congestion from the proposed General Motors redevelopment still is an issue and they're preparing to continue with a lawsuit against Sleepy Hollow.

Tarrytown officials filed a notice of appeal Tuesday in their lawsuit against Sleepy Hollow regarding the General Motors redevelopment project. Village Administrator Michael Blau said Tarrytown also reached out to Sleepy Hollow to see what could be done on the developer's part to reduce the traffic impact without going forward with the appeal.

“The village filed a notice of appeal of the decision of the State Supreme Court in order to preserve Tarrytown’s options,” Village Administrator Michael Blau said in a statement. “The village does not have to pursue the appeal and it is our hope that it will not be necessary.”

General Motors wants to redevelop its 96-acre lot on the waterfront in Sleepy Hollow, where a former automotive plant was located. The proposed Lighting Landing site would include retail, dining and residential spaces and bring an estimated 3,000 more residents to Sleepy Hollow.

Tarrytown filed the lawsuit regarding the project in June 2011, saying the project failed to address increased traffic congestion on Tarrytown roads. A state judge ruled in early September the lawsuit lacked merit because Sleepy Hollow's traffic study was “nothing short of comprehensive.”

Tarrytown wants Sleepy Hollow to require the project's developer to lessen traffic impacts on Tarrytown, which Blau said was part of what the state judge found in his decision. Village officials simultaneously reached out to Sleepy Hollow to see if funds in the project are available and hope that it won't be necessary to proceed with the appeal, Blau said.